Volvo app renewal software update?

[Laz]

I've had a major service done on our MY2019 V60 in July at the main dealer. Paid a small fortune for it but did not mind since it included the breakdown cover and the Volvo app one year subscription. So I thought it did.
Turns out they forgot to extend my Volvo app subscription. Adding insult to injury every time I turn on the app it reminds me that a free subscription is included with a main dealer's service...
Anyway I contacted the dealer in October. After sending them several emails finally they've managed to contact me yesterday. To my surprise they insist on me taking the car in for a software update in order to extend my subscription.
Is this normal? I've had the subscription extended by Volvo last year. Just received an email that it had been extended and it just continued to work as before. What is this "software update" nonsense? What's it got to do with the On Call (or whatever they call it this week) app? Can someone enlighten me please if you've had a similar experience?
It would be way too long but I could fill another two pages moaning about the service I'm getting from the dealer which is a relatively new one in town. Never thought in my wildest dreams that it could be any worse than the previous one but they're trying very hard I must say. Now they want me to waste around 2 hours of my life because they once again forgot do something in the first place.
Any advice is much appreciated on this. Thank you
ps if it turns out I really need a software update (which I've always had with every service and never noticed any change either with this or my previous Volvo) will it change anything for the "worse" on the car? Can some of the apps disappear or not work as they did before? I'm an if it ain't broke don't fix it kind of a guy and I'm very happy with everything with the car software wise, everything works perfect.

[techwatcher]

There have been a couple of software updates for your car since July - details here: https://www.volvocars.com/uk/support...es/v60/2018w17

However they aren't related to Volvo On Call so extending the subscription shouldn't be dependent on the updates.

Not sure what the dealer is up to with this - an attempt at upselling you something whilst they have your car perhaps?

I would ask them confirm which of the software updates in the above link is necessary to be able to extend the subscription. If they demur then ask them to just extend the subscription.

[Laz]

Thank you techwatcher! That's what I suspected.
I just don't trust them to be honest after the last few visits but there are no alternatives around as far as I know.

[SnineT]

Glympse will vanish as its no longer supported.

[Laz]

I don't mind that I never used Glympse anyway.

Just a quick update in the meantime.
According to the service advisor from Volvo who kindly replied my email query quite quickly Volvo has changed the way subscriptions work:
"Volvo used to do the Volvo App updates without the car having to enter the workshops until just over a year ago. They have now stopped doing it this way and the software has to be downloaded on to the car now, which does mean unfortunately that the car does have to come in to the workshop."
I still don't understand why would Volvo do this wasting precious workshop time for something they used to do remotely just for some possible extra sales? What if I don't want to service my car at a main dealer's? Would I still have to go in every year for the subscription? Their website does not mention anything about this change.